INTERFAITH HOSPITALITY NETWORK OF GREATER FORT WAYNE INC

FOR OVER 25 YEARS, JUST NEIGHBORS INTERFAITH HOMELESS NETWORK HAS BEEN DEDICATED TO SERVING FAMILIES EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS OR HOUSING INSTABILITY BY UNITING RELIGIOUS CONGREGATIONS, COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS, AND LOCAL AGENCIES TO PROVIDE SHELTER, MEALS, AND COMPREHENSIVE SUPPORT SERVICES. THE ORGANIZATION'S MISSION IS TO HELP FAMILIES ACHIEVE SAFETY, STABILITY, AND LONG-TERM SELF-SUFFICIENCY. AS FORT WAYNE'S ONLY EMERGENCY SHELTER DEDICATED EXCLUSIVELY TO HOMELESS FAMILIES, THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES A CONTINUUM OF SERVICES DESIGNED TO PREVENT AND RESOLVE HOMELESSNESS AMONG HOUSEHOLDS WITH CHILDREN. ITS CORE PROGRAM IS A 45-DAY FAMILY EMERGENCY SHELTER, WHICH OFFERS PRIVATE ACCOMMODATION, MEALS, AND INTENSIVE, TRAUMA-INFORMED CASE MANAGEMENT. FAMILIES WORK WITH STAFF TO DEVELOP INDIVIDUALIZED HOUSING PLANS, ADDRESS BARRIERS SUCH AS INCOME INSTABILITY, EMPLOYMENT CHALLENGES, TRANSPORTATION, AND CHILDCARE NEEDS, AND SECURE STABILE HOUSING. DUE TO SUSTAINED DEMAND AND CONSISTENT FULL CAPACITY IN OUR TEN ROOM 45-DAY PROGRAM, THE ORGANIZATION EXPANDED SERVICES IN 2025 BY CONVERTING TWO ROOMS INTO AN IMMEDIATE-OVERNIGHT SHELTER PROGRAM. THIS PROGRAM PROVIDES SHORT- TERM, 12-HOUR EMERGENCY ACCOMMODATION FOR FAMILIES IN CRISIS, ENSURING SAFE SHELTER WHILE THEY AWAIT PLACEMENT IN THE 45-DAY PROGRAM. IN ITS INITIAL MONTHS OF OPERATION, THE OVERNIGHT PROGRAM SERVED MORE THAN 200 FAMILIES, DEMONSTRATING SIGNIFICANT COMMUNITY NEED AND REDUCING DELAYS IN ACCESS TO SHELTER. TO FURTHER EXPAND CAPACITY, THE ORGANIZATION LAUNCHED A CAPITAL CAMPAIGN IN LATE 2025 TO RENOVATE UNDERUTILIZED ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE SPACE INTO A DEDICATED OVERNIGHT SHELTER FACILITY. PLANNED IMPROVEMENTS INCLUDE SEVEN PRIVATE FAMILY ROOMS WITH OVERFLOW CAPACITY, AN ADA-ACCESSIBLE RESTROOM, AND ON-SITE LAUNDRY FACILITIES. THIS EXPANSION IS DESIGNED TO ELIMINATE WAIT TIMES, INCREASE ACCESS TO SAFE SHELTER, AND CREATE A MORE EFFICIENT PATHWAY INTO LONGER-TERM PROGRAMMING. IN ADDITION TO SHELTER SERVICES, THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES AN EVICTION INTERVENTION PREVENTION PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES HOUSING STABILIZATION ASSISTANCE TO FAMILIES AT RISK OF LOSING HOUSING. SERVICES INCLUDE SHORT- TERM FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, LANDLORD MEDIATION, AND REFERRALS TO COMMUNITY- BASED RESOURCES. FAMILIES ACROSS ALL PROGRAMS ARE CONNECTED TO HEALTHCARE, BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES, FOOD ASSISTANCE, AND OTHER SUPPORTS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO OVERALL WELL-BEING. PROGRAM EFFECTIVENESS IS MEASURED THROUGH ONGOING DATA COLLECTION AND CASE MANAGEMENT DOCUMENTATION. QUANTITATIVE INDICATORS INCLUDE THE NUMBER OF FAMILIES SERVED, SHELTER UTILIZATION RATES, LENGTH OF STAY, AND THE PERCENTAGE OF FAMILIES EXITING TO STABLE HOUSING. WITHIN THE 45-DAY PROGRAM, PROGRESS IS ASSESSED USING A HOUSING STABILITY MATRIX COMPLETED AT ENTRY AND EXIT, WITH A GOAL THAT FAMILIES DEMONSTRATE MEASURABLE IMPROVEMENT IN AREAS SUCH AS INCOME, EMPLOYMENT, AND HOUSING. INDIVIDUALIZED SERVICE PLANS FURTHER TRACK PROGRESS TOWARD GOALS SUCH AS SECURING EMPLOYMENT, OBTAINING BENEFITS, AND DEVELOPING SUSTAINABLE HOUSEHOLD BUDGETS. THE OVERNIGHT SHELTER PROGRAM IS EVALUATED THROUGH ACCESS AND UTILIZATION METRICS, INCLUDING NIGHTLY OCCUPANCY ENSURING TIMELY ACCESS TO EMERGENCY SHELTER FOR FAMILIES IN CRISIS. THE EVICTION INTERVENTION PROGRAM, IN WHICH STAFF ATTEND ALL EVICTION HEARINGS IN ALLEN COUNTY SMALL CLAIMS COURT, IS EVALUATED BASED ON THE PERCENTAGE OF CASES THAT ARE ULTIMATELY DISMISSED. QUALITATIVE OUTCOMES INCLUDE IMPROVED FAMILY STABILITY AND WELL-BEING. FAMILIES REPORT REDUCED STRESS AND INCREASED SAFETY UPON ENTERING SHELTER. CHILDREN BENEFIT FROM MAINTAINING SCHOOL ATTENDANCE AND DAILY ROUTINES, WHILE PARENTS GAIN CONFIDENCE AND SKILLS THROUGH CASE MANAGEMENT SUPPORT. FAMILIES REMAIN INTACT DURING PERIODS OF CRISIS AND FREQUENTLY REPORT INCREASED SELF-SUFFICIENCY, RESILIENCE, AND CONNECTION TO COMMUNITY RESOURCES UPON PROGRAM COMPLETION. THROUGH ITS COORDINATED APPROACH COMBINING EMERGENCY SHELTER, HOUSING STABILIZATION SERVICES, CAPITAL INVESTMENT IN EXPANDED FACILITIES, AND STRONG COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS, THE ORGANIZATION HELPS FAMILIES MOVE FROM CRISIS TO STABILITY AND SUPPORTS HEALTHIER, MORE RESILIENT COMMUNITIES. 2025 PROGRAM SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS EMERGENCY FAMILY SHELTER: -272 TOTAL FAMILIES SERVED (65 IN 45-DAY PROGRAM + 207 IN OVERNIGHT STAY PROGRAM. TOTAL 798 INDIVIDUALS) -SERVED 511 CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 18 -SERVED 133 SCHOOL AGED CHILDREN IN 45-DAY PROGRAM. 100% REMAINED IN SCHOOL, MAINLY AT THEIR SCHOOL OF ORIGIN -PROVIDED 10,371 BED NIGHTS FOR GUESTS -54 FAMILIES SERVED IN 45-DAY SHELTER PROGRAM WITH INCOME LESS THAN 30% AREA MEDIAN INCOME UPON ENTRY (83% OF ALL 45-DAY PROGRAM FAMILIES SERVED) -100% OF FAMILIES SHELTERED IN 45-DAY PROGRAM RECEIVED FAMILY NEED ASSESSMENT AND REFERRAL TO INTERVENTION AND SUPPORT SERVICES -100% OF FAMILY STRATEGIC GOAL PLANS FOR FAMILIES IN 45-DAY PROGRAM ADDRESSED SPECIFIC ISSUES RELATED TO CHILDREN EVICTION INTERVENTION PROGRAM (ACCORDING TO 2025 IMPACT GENOME REGISTRY'S VERIFIED IMPACT REPORT): -OUTREACH PROGRAM MANAGER SERVED 853 HOUSEHOLDS (2105 INDIVIDUALS) -41% OF HOUSEHOLDS SERVED HAD EVICTION CASE DROPPED -70 COST PER OUTCOME DUE TO VERY LIMITED OVERHEAD COSTS